Page 53 of Forever My Soldier

He bent his head down and kissed the top of my head. “You’re stronger than you know, princess.”

Chapter Twenty

Deacon

I couldn’t seemto sleep. I had too much on my mind. Her ring I pulled from that shoebox had been occupying my thoughts. It belonged on her finger, not around her neck or in a box. She was everything to me and if this most recent break up taught me anything it was that I didn’t want to waste any more time. We belonged together. It had always been there, in the way she looked at me, the way I felt when she was around. It had always been right there.

I shifted in bed, unable to lay still any longer. I had so many things I wanted to do, to say, but wake Jenna was not one of them. Decidedly, sliding from the bed, I looked over my shoulder to make sure she was still asleep.

Eyes closed, she called my name, though, “Deke.”

“Shh, go back to sleep,” I answered, watching her closely.

“I love you,” she whispered, unmoving.

With a full heart, there was no question, I felt the same. I laid a kiss on her forehead. “I love you, too.” She opened her eyes and lifted her head, smiling.

I moved to get up and before my feet hit the floor, I noticed Jenna was out like a light again.

Dressing, I took extra care with my selections. I had something I needed to take care of. I needed to see Jenna’s father. I happened to have it on good authority he had breakfast at the country club every morning, seven o’clock sharp, followed by a round of golf before going into the office. I hoped like hell today was no different because I was going to spring a surprise visit on him.

My mind kept spinning with what he would say. The truth was, he probably wouldn’t even want to see me. But to hell with what he wanted because he was going to hear me out, man to man. And if I had to remind him that he should be doing it not for me, but for his daughter, then I would.

* * *

I could see why people liked this place. I never imagined myself being the type to enjoy a country club, but it wasn’t altogether bad. Golf carts lined the entryway into the main building, which was big, the inside spacious, well-lit and nicely decorated. The view of the greens just beyond were endless, much like rolling hills that you just didn’t see elsewhere in Florida.

I stopped at the front desk, but at the early hour didn’t see anyone around. I took a few steps around the main room and noticed the dining room off to the side, so I walked over and peered in. There was a good amount of people sitting down at tables, enjoying breakfast, many with newspapers in their hands. It was quite unlike anything I would have expected. There was a certain air of sophistication to it all, but it also evoked notions of old times, as if they were stuck in the fifties.

“Excuse me, can I help you?” a petite woman with short blonde hair asked me. She was wearing black pants and a white shirt, so I assumed she worked here.

“I’m looking for someone. Mr. Stephen McAllister, do you know if he’s here?”

She openly laughed. “Of course, he’s here. He’s always here,” she said, smiling wide. “He’s about to go out on the course, though, so if you’re looking to meet with him, you better go. He’s just behind the greenery over there,” she said, pointing in the right direction.

I looked at the booths and the fake planters that lined the top of their backs and wondered just what was awaiting me on the other side. “Thank you.”

“Anytime.” She winked and turned to go back to the hostess podium.

As I approached, I sucked in a deep breath of air.This was it. Do or die.“Mr. McAllister,” I greeted him just as he put down his coffee cup.

Without saying a word, he looked at me and I knew just what he was thinking, wondering really—what was I doing here? I didn’t belong in his world, his family’s world, and he was right, but I belonged with Jenna and I was prepared to tell him that.

“May I sit down?” I asked when he didn’t offer.

He fussed with his newspaper before wedging it on its side between his mug and plate. “What are you doing here, Deacon?”

The disdain in his voice made me realize this wasn’t going to be easy. I answered earnestly, “I was hoping to talk to you.”

“Son, I’m a little busy. I have tee time in a few minutes. Can this wait?”

Perhaps neither he nor the rest of their family would ever truly accept me, and I was willing to live with that, but I would not be put off. I slid into his booth and put my hands on the table. “No, I’m sorry, but it can’t.”

Through gritted teeth, he managed, “Very well then,” as if trying not to make a scene. “Would you like something to eat?”

I shook my head. “Thank you, but no.”

He just stared at me. “How’d you find me anyway?”

---